Welcome back to the blog Lisa! Congratulations on your latest book! But before we get into that, can you please tell our readers a little bit about yourself?

I’m an award-winning author of The Ben Ripple; Choosing to Live through Loss with Purpose and Dancing in the Rain; One Family’s Journey through Grief and Loss. As well, I’m a long-standing writer for Just Between Us magazine and online devotionals including The Story and Good Ground. I’m also a speaker, blogger, pastor’s wife, mother of four (3 on earth, 1 in heaven), mother-in-love to two, and Nana to four (so far).

I love walking, spending time in my kitchen, Skyping my grandchildren (who live too far away), and dating my husband of almost 40 years. My greatest joy and passion is sharing the truths and life-giving principles of God’s Word Straight from the Heart, based upon Romans 15:18 that says, “I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me.” 

So, let’s talk about your latest book, “A Ministry Survival Guide”. This sounds like something a lot of women can use in their daily lives.

A Ministry Survival Guide is more than just a survival guide. It’s a sur-thrival guide! It explores the joys and challenges of life in the spotlight of ministry. Relatable stories, survival tips, biblical mentors, and a Bible study guide provide a valuable resource for pastors’ wives, women in ministry, and anyone desiring to thrive not just survive in the Christian life.

It covers topics on: living a public-private life, fortifying your marriage, balancing family and ministry, preventing burnout, navigating transitions, managing painful relationships, growing through personal challenges, building a godly support system, discovering blessings beneath burdens, and nurturing your soul.

 What inspired you to write this book?

My inspiration behind my story came as a result of almost forty years’ experience as a pastor’s wife and woman in ministry. I’ve not only experienced the joys, struggles, and challenges firsthand, I’ve witnessed and come alongside many others in the same position as they’ve tried to make their way in ministry. For years I kept an entire computer file of notes on scripture that has ministered to me personally throughout the last forty years along with short subtitles that triggered memories related to my experiences.

Who knew that it would take a year of seclusion amid a pandemic to provide me with the opportunity to go public with it all? It wasn’t until then that I understood why the Lord had lain Jeremiah 30:2 upon my heart in January 2020: “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.’” Looking back with 20/20 vision, it all makes sense to me now. If I’m completely honest, I welcomed the pandemic as a gift—a reprieve, if you will.

It gave me the necessary time to lock myself away in my house and remain in social isolation, out of the spotlight of public ministry, to reflect upon my forty years in ministry. Now my prayer is that others, pastors’ wives, women in ministry, and women from all walks of life will be encouraged as they fulfill their calling in whatever form it takes.

What was the catalyst for your interest in writing?

Up until writing daily prayer requests—turned blog—turned book around my 18-year-old son’s battle with leukemia in 2008, I had honestly never considered writing. However, others felt differently. Those who were praying for us and joined our journey online, prompted me to publish. They felt it was not only a source of encouragement but also a powerful resource for others.

What began as an outlet for my grief, opened up a writing platform with the editor of a Christian Women’s magazine, Just Between Us. This, in turn, led to a Christian Publisher inviting me to submit my manuscript and enter it into a Free Publishing Contest. I won. And the rest is HIS-story.

Do you have a day job? If so, how do you find time during your day to write?

Since the pandemic, my day job as an inspirational speaker has taken a back seat to my writing. My writing helps me process my personal thoughts. Most of my writing stems from my personal experience. Because of that, there never seems to be a shortage of things to write about.

Therefore, I always make time to write. I find that whether I’m at my computer or not, my mind is always actively writing, processing thoughts, and adding scriptural application. I need creative space that enables me to put my thoughts into writing and speaking material. So I seize moments whenever and however I can.

Were there any surprises that came up for you as you wrote your story?

There were a few surprises as I wrote my story. The first was how good it felt to finally release forty years of pent-up ministry experiences, challenges faced, and lessons learned. To be honest, it surprised me how much I’d learned. And it surprised me just how desperately I felt prompted to share it with those who could benefit from what I’d learned.

Once I let the cat out of the bag that I was prayerfully considering publishing my experiences in ministry I was surprised at the immediate interest from women. Not only women in ministry, but women in general, begging for a book like this! I have to say they’ve all been very nice surprises!

What does your family think of your writing?

Seeing as all of my books involve my family, including this one pertaining to my ministry alongside my pastor-husband, they were, and still are, very supportive. The hardest part of writing my books, given the personal nature of them, has been maintaining a semblance of sacred and privacy while we, quite literally, live out our private lives in front of a live audience to this day.

Who was the first person you allowed to read your completed book?

There were actually a few supporters I immediately sought out for perspective and encouragement. One of the first I reached out to was Shelly Esser. She and I met when I was in the process of writing my first book. Even though I didn’t realize I was writing one at the time. She is a professional editor of the magazine she eventually invited me to write for, Just Between Us.

It’s a magazine initially published for pastors’ wives but has since expanded to reach women from all walks of life. Shelly’s perspective spoke from the volumes of women she hears from on a daily basis regarding their need for encouragement and inspiration. Things I was seeking to write for a similar reading audience.

The next person I reached out to was my oldest daughter, Natalie, who watched me live out everything I was now portraying to a hungry audience of ministry wives. I knew she’d help me to keep it real without divulging too much information. She’s the one who told me how much wives and young moms would benefit from such a book as this one. Natalie has also written the Foreword of my book.

The next person whose opinion meant everything to me was my sister-by-heart, Jamie. She’s known the deepest part of me for years. She allowed me to read it aloud to her and was able to guide me through the process of exposing sacred spaces in my heart. I’m eternally grateful for these three women of God as well as others who have since journeyed with me to make this book a reality.

What’s next for you as an author?

Many doors have opened up to me as a result of my writing. I’ve already mentioned, Just Between Us magazine with both their printed issues and online presence. I plan on continuing writing for them for as long as I have breath to breathe that would help encourage other women.

My publisher, Word Alive Press, also opened the door wide and invited me to write a monthly blog, Straight from the Heart. That came as a tremendous encouragement to me and affirmation that my writing was worth reading. I can’t think of a greater compliment they could have given me.

Other opportunities have come in the form of devotionals for The Story and Good Ground devotional app. I’ve also been sought out to contribute to books like Good Grief People and Hot Apple Cider with Cinnamon.

Who knows where my writing will take me next! My heart is always open. That’s where it really gets exciting as I continue to write Straight from the Heart!

I’m going to share your beautiful cover and back cover blurb with our readers and then get into an excerpt from it:

A Ministry Survival Guide: Straight from the Heart explores the joys and challenges of life in the spotlight of ministry. Relatable stories, Survival Tips, Biblical Mentors, and a Bible Study provide a valuable resource for pastors’ wives, women in ministry, and anyone desiring to thrive, not just survive in the Christian life.

• Living a public-private life
• Fortifying your marriage
• Balancing family and ministry
• Preventing burnout
• Navigating transitions
• Managing painful relationships
• Growing through personal challenges
• Building a godly support system
• Discovering blessings beneath burdens
• Nurturing your soul

An Excerpt from A Ministry Survival Guide:

A Ministry Survival Guide: Straight from the Heart is written as an interactive book. It’s one thing to share my own personal experiences and another to invite the reader to consider their own. It is designed for personal or group study and is definitely a Book Club read! With that, here’s a sampling of my book:

For years, my family and I set aside an hour a week to check out of life as we knew it. With munchies in hand, we’d each nestle into a comfy chair and tune into the television reality show Survivor. The show aired the night before my husband’s day off. So we affectionately called it Survivor Night.

For those unfamiliar with the show, each season a new group of castaways is dropped off on a tropical island in the middle of nowhere with only a backpack containing a few essential items. The goal of the game is to see who will “outwit, outplay, and outlast” the others to become the sole survivor, winning a million dollars.

While the show isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, I have a strange connection to it. Throughout each season, I grow to appreciate the players’ endurance and stamina as they bear up under extreme weather conditions and compete in grueling challenges. I feel the pain of defeat in their losses and rejoice with them in their victories. I see them carefully build alliances only to be blindsided by those they thought they could trust. I weep with them when their families arrive for a reward, realizing how valuable those relationships are. I identify with their efforts, struggles, and frustrations as they fight to survive against all odds.

During every single episode I say to myself at some point, often out loud, “I could never do that!” Until I finally realized I have done that! That’s when it occurred to me that the reason I find such a connection to the game is that ministry is a lot like Survivor.

You see, I’m a survivor. Not merely a sole survivor but a soul survivor. What the castaways play out in front of a camera for forty days, I’ve lived for forty years before a live audience called the church. At times it’s felt like I’ve had a spotlight on me, my marriage, and my family. I’ve been scrutinized and reviewed by critics. I’ve fumbled through unrehearsed lines and unscripted scenes, most of it unedited.

While I may not win a million dollars at the end of it all, my reward is waiting for me in glory. I find assurance in what 2 Timothy 4:8 tells us: Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8)

Survival Tip: Rise to the challenge. The game of Survivor is full of challenges. These challenges test endurance, stamina, and skills that push the survivors to their physical, mental, and emotional limit. Likewise, your endurance will undoubtedly be put to the test in ministry. You will be pushed to your limit. There will be moments when you doubt you have what it takes to accomplish what God has called you to do.

You’re not alone. He will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). The Lord’s desire is that you not only survive, but thrive in what He’s called you to do. He never calls you without equipping you. As 2 Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” Why not take some time right now to recommit your ministry to Him?

I’m so excited for this book, Lisa!   Readers, you can buy it on Amazon at:

https://amzn.to/3MQK2E3

Signed copies are available for $20 each plus shipping. Order by emailing: lisakelliott22@gmail.com 

My book is also available where books are sold or order online: Wordalivepress.ca, Christianbooks.com, Chapters/Indigo, and US-based Anchor Distributors.

Where can readers find you online?

You can contact me at lisakelliott22@gmail.com,

Follow me on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Lisa-Elliott-Straight-from-the-Heart-SpeakerAuthor-370667793001091), or visit my website at: https://lisaelliottstraightfromtheheart.wordpress.com/

Blog www.wordalivepress.ca/blogs

Just Between Us Magazine www.justbetweenus.org

100 Huntley Street: 100 Huntley Street: Search

100 Huntley Street: Dancing in the Rain: One Family’s Journey Through Grief

FamilyLife Workshop This Day Forward Parenting Conference – FamilyLife Canada

Do you have a question for Lisa about her ministry journey or any of her books? Leave it in the comments and she’ll get back to you. She loves to interact with readers. If you’d like to send her a private message please use her email address listed above.

Thanks for being with us today! 

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Excerpt #3 – Chapter 1:

“Mommy. I’m gonna be late for day care.”

A small, dark head with long hair poked out of the turquoise car parked in front of

Ruby’s. The child waved at them. “C’mon, Mommy.” “Perfect timing,” Joy said under her breath.

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing, never mind,” she said. “You sure you’re okay? You’re not feeling faint or anything?”

Ben took a deep breath, finally. “I’m good. Thanks for checking. Don’t know what happened there.” He put his sunglasses back on. Small comfort, but a mask all the same.

Joy gave him a slanted look. “Are you going off shift or just going on?”

“Going on, and I’m late. I’m supposed to be bringing in coffee for the guys and a round of Ruby’s cupcakes.”

“Okay, well, I won’t keep you,” she said, then started walking back towards Ruby’s and her car. The little girl was hanging out the front window of the car from her waist.

“Emberlyn Marie Gallagher. Sit back in that car this instant.”

A flash of mischief shot through deep brown eyes that were a clone of her mother’s as the little girl’s face broke into a brilliant smile, and she laughed. Joy kissed the child’s upturned face and reached through the open car window to help her back into the front seat.

“I guess I’d better get her over to day care.”

“Are you going on shift or coming off?” parroted Ben. Please don’t leave yet.

“Just going back on a double shift in the ER. Mom had her for the night, so now it’s time for day care.”

“A double? Is that normal?” You sound like an overeager teenager. Knock it off.

Her laugh made his stomach flip. Yep, definitely feeling like an overeager teenager.

Joy headed around her car and opened the driver’s door. She cocked her head to the side.

“You’re going to be fine, Ben.” Her smile shone as radiantly as the sunrise. She jumped into her car and slammed the door.

He stood at the bottom of the café steps and watched them drive away. His right shoulder throbbed. It still throbbed every day. He’d lied to his physiotherapist because his short-term disability was up. If he couldn’t get back to work, he’d have to quit The Job. He had nothing else but The Job. Not being a cop wasn’t an option.

“You’re going to be fine, Ben.”

From your lips to God’s ear, Joy Gallagher.

He headed up the steps and yanked open the door. The sweet aroma of baked goods and coffee teased his nose as it welcomed him into the café. Maybe he imagined it, but people seemed to stop talking, especially over at the “gossip” table in the far right corner. He caught the furtive glances, eyes cutting away, and feet rustling under the tables. Was it how he looked? The uniform ball cap didn’t cover his ear, but it did cover his right eyebrow and forehead.

“Hey,” he said to the air in general. He nodded towards the right and left and then walked up to the counter. Mercifully, people began speaking in low tones again, the sound washing over him like a balm. He’d expected people to react to his scars when he came back to work, which was why he flew up yesterday to minimize the contact

***

Do you enjoy reading romances or romantic suspense books with children in them? Or do you prefer your romances to only include the hero and heroine?

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Excerpt #2 – Chapter 1:

“Ben, look at me,” she ordered. That voice had a familiar ring to it. Bossy but comforting at the same time. He’d heard it before. “Let me see you without the sunglasses.”

He removed them without question, his heart slowing while sweat made his uniform shirt cling to his back. At nearly 6:30 a.m, no less. Or, what time was it now? He was inexcusably late. Not a great impression to make on the new Corporal.

The woman stood in front of him, her dark brown eyes concerned as she held him by his upper arms. He blinked twice and tried to get his tongue to work. Mortification brought a dull red flush to his cheeks. I should know her… Gah, why won’t my stupid brain work?

She wore purple nursing scrubs with sprigs of pink flowers on them. Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a braided ponytail, but her eyes—they were the deepest brown he’d ever seen. Several gold earrings pierced her right ear, and one gold stud pierced her left. A delicate scrolled flower tattoo peeked out along her left collarbone. And she smelled of fresh citrus. Like a pitcher of lemonade.

All right, he hadn’t totally lost his powers of perception. A gorgeous woman had just pulled him out of a full-blown panic attack in the middle of main street. Wonderful. He might as well turn in his badge and gun, drive straight to the airport, and fly home.

“Ben, it’s me.” She put her hands on her hips. “It’s Joy.” She looked like she would snap her fingers in his face any second.

He shook his head. Cleared his throat. Wished the pavement would open and swallow him whole. “I remember.”

Joy. When the nightmares came rushing in the night from the bear attack, it was her voice and the touch of her hands on him as she bound up his shoulder that he remembered. And her scent—that was a great memory—citrusy and fruity after the horror of the bear’s mouth and its rancid smell. She had bent over him, bandaging his head with gauze as they tried to save his right ear for the plastic surgeon.

Yes, it was all coming back to him now.

“I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?” Lord, just beam me a hundred miles away from here, right now. This is not how I wanted to meet her again.

“No, of course not. How are you?” She touched his forearm lightly. “I mean really, how are you? You—didn’t text me what flight you were coming in on.”

“Sorry. I got it last minute.” There. At least his voice wasn’t shaking like his knees were. Shaking like a trembling foal.

“Great.” She took a step back as if realizing she was in his personal space. “I’m so glad… you’re back. Most people would never have come up here again after what you went through.”

His right shoulder grated in its socket when he put his hand on his service weapon again. That grounded him. Although, he wasn’t sure hanging on to his gun was what his therapist had in mind when he said to find objects to fixate on during a panic attack. Time to pop another pain pill, but not with Joy in sight.

“Thanks. I don’t blame the bear. He was just being a bear.” Wow. Quit while you’re ahead. She’s more stunning in person than her texts ever let on.

****

What was the most embarrassing encounter you’ve ever had with a member of the opposite sex?

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CHAPTER ONE

Saturday, August 1

Churchill, Manitoba

CONSTABLE BEN KOPER PULLED HIS POLICE truck over to the side of the road across from Ruby’s Café & Emporium. His first day back at work in nine months, and already he was running late. He slammed the truck into park and stared up and down Kelsey Boulevard, on high alert for any movement between the buildings.

Last November, a polar bear had attacked him in this exact spot. He hadn’t been back to Churchill since then. Goose bumps skittered along his arms. Rationally, he knew that bears had been spotted along the coast and probably hadn’t made it into town yet. But his anxiety and the acid in his stomach told his brain a polar bear could be anywhere, now that the sea ice had melted.

Ben grabbed his mobile phone with the coffee orders on it and stepped out of his truck, pulling his baseball cap down to his sunglasses. He slammed the truck door and strode to the pavement of Kelsey Boulevard. The rest of the street sat quiet, while Ruby’s 6:00 a.m. crowd was hopping with its early morning breakfast specials. He could see people eating at tables through the huge front plate-glass window.

When he hit the middle of the street, his heart sped up, jackhammering in his chest. His feet refused to move past the centre of the road, like he’d struck an invisible wall. Adrenaline shot through his limbs. His vision tunneled into black holes. Sweat poured down his back and gathered on his forehead. He put his right hand on the grip of his service weapon, trying to get some equilibrium. His throat closed, and he leaned over with his hands on his knees. Deep breaths.

Deep, deep breaths Trying, trying…

Dan Sherman, his therapist, sounded in his head. “Look for five things around you to centre yourself. Repeat them to yourself. Then count them down one by one.”

Panting, beads of sweat rolled down the right side of his face over his scarred eyebrow and ear. All he could see was the concrete road and small rocks littered about.

There’s nothing but the road. Concrete, rocks, concrete, rocks…

He needed five things. His boots wouldn’t move. He stood hunched over in the middle of the street, trying not to throw up his meagre breakfast. No other objects around; nothing else to see. His feet… he couldn’t move his feet.

Running shoes, white and pink running shoes… Where did they come from?

“Ben? Ben,” a lilting, female voice broke through his fog. “Are you okay?”

A hand touched his shoulder, his sore right shoulder, and he flinched. Finally. He could move. He reared his head up and collided with the face belonging to the voice.

“Ow.” The woman let go of his shoulder and grabbed her nose while he staggered sideways.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” he stammered. He reached forward to steady himself with his right hand but dropped his phone on the ground with his other hand. The woman dove for the phone and swiveled around to give it to him.

*****

My husband was in the financial investment industry prior to joining the military. He won a trip for two to Las Vegas for a four day weekend as part of a company-wide incentive plan, so off we went to Sin City. It was actually a wonderful trip as we saw Siegfried and Roy with their white tigers, and a musical that I can’t recall. (Those white tigers were my main memory and favorite thing!) However, after seeing the S&R show, the crowd spilled out onto The Strip and joined in with a huge wave of people flowing down the pavement. We were shoulder to shoulder with people and being carried along organically. People were openly drinking beer and other alcohol, and the crowd was raucous, to say the least.

We were being crushed in this crowd and even though it was going in the direction we wanted to go in, I started having trouble breathing. Then I got crushing chest pains and thought I was having a heart attack. My legs shook and I grabbed my husband because I was afraid I was going to fall down and be trampled. He managed to maneuver us over to the hotel-side sidewalk so I could take a breath. However, things just got worse. I wanted him to call me an ambulance I was so sure I was having a heart attack.

However, smart man that he is, he pulled me inside the hotel and found the breakfast cafe. (Las Vegas really is open 24 hrs a day and they were serving breakfast) He ordered me black tea and toast, rubbed my hands, and spoke soothingly to me. I gradually calmed down. It was visceral, uncontrollable body experience that I’ll never forget. I just had to ride it out. It was also the one and only – thank goodness – panic attack I’ve ever had in my life. I’ve experienced anxiety on a much smaller scale but never anything that bad again.

Have you ever had a panic attack or been with someone while they were having one? How did you cope with it?

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